by studiotullia | Feb 18, 2019 | DESIGN TRENDS, INTERIOR DESIGN
I’ve been into the blues lately…
The above swatches are some of my recent favorites, all from SCHUMACHER except the grayish swirl fabric by Kate Spade for Kravet. I Love the soft grays in the mix. That might be a nice direction for next Fall.
Last Spring I did a collection with THE ENCHANTED HOME that we never really formally introduced. A softer, more watery palette with light blues and aquas that I think is pretty lovely for Spring.
Pick a floral pattern or “anchor” fabric that you love like this VECCHIO SPA, and pull out the colors that speak to you like lavender, turquoise, green, gray…
How lovely is this pattern in curtains? (I am working on a curtain program for Spring…)
This HARU in Bluebell would also be lovely as curtains. This is a really large scale pattern:
As you can see in this pillow from STUDIO TULLIA:
The pictures below feature the front and back porch of Tina (of THE ENCHANTED HOME)’s newly built home in Palmetto Bluff, SC.
The lovely linen floral VECCHIO SPA with the JALISA coordinating pillows look so inviting with the blue shutters, topiary and bench above.
BLUE & WHITE POTTERY (as shown above from WS HOME) is a great layer to add to a blue and white color scheme. The cobalt pigment is one of the very few that can withstand the highest firing temperatures that are required, in particular for porcelain, which partly accounts for its long-lasting popularity
Blue and white decoration first became widely used in Chinese porcelain in the 14th century, after the cobalt pigment for the blue began to be imported from Persia. It was widely exported, and inspired imitative wares in Islamic ceramics, and in Japan, and later European tin-glazed earthenware such as Delftware and after the techniques were discovered in the 18th century, European porcelain. Blue and white pottery in all of these traditions continues to be produced, most of it copying earlier styles. For more information on blue and white pottery go HERE
(per Wikipedia)
You may also find a wonderful collection of porcelainware sets for sale at THE ENCHANTED HOME:
And here are some pillows from THE PAGODA COLLECTION that we curated together a year or so ago, beautifully displayed at her home in New York, that still look as fresh as ever:
A lovely floral fabric by Schumacher on the chairs and pillow below with coordinating prints and plaids in this room by ALEXANDER REA:
The use of CHINOISERIE, seen in the decorative arts since the 17th century, is still as classic as the combination of blue and white.
Chinoiserie (English: , French: [ʃinwazʁi]; loanword from French chinoiserie, from chinois, “Chinese”) is the European interpretation and imitation of Chinese and East Asian artistic traditions, especially in the decorative arts, garden design, architecture, literature, theatre, and music.[1] The aesthetic of Chinoiserie has been expressed in different ways depending on the region. Its acknowledgement derives from the current of Orientalism, which studied Far East cultures from a historical, philological, anthropological, philosophical and religious point of view. First appearing in the 17th century, this trend was popularized in the 18th century due to the rise in trade with China and East Asia.[2]As a style, chinoiserie is related to the Rococo style.[3] Both styles are characterized by exuberant decoration, asymmetry, a focus on materials, and stylized nature and subject matter that focuses on leisure and pleasure. Chinoiserie focuses on subjects that were thought by colonial-era Europeans to be typical of Chinese culture. – Definition from WIKIPEDIA
This is a gorgeous room featuring chinoiserie wallpaper in a Texas home done by MILES REDD:
And another gorgeous example as seen in Architectural Digest:
I first saw this room by Celerie Kemble and Kristen Wilson in THE BULLETIN by SCHUMACHER last Fall. The details and subtleties of colors are so exquisite. And the brighter cobalt chinoiserie panels are a nice contrast to the softer blues.
CITRUS GARDEN works with so many colors and coordinates…
Though I feel I’ve been in an eternal slumber for the last few weeks with the ever present gray light and rainy weather in Portland, I am hopeful that February is almost over and then we are through the worst of the Winter doldrums. Spring, here we come.
by studiotullia | Nov 7, 2018 | DIY, INTERIOR DESIGN
At last we have made it to Week 6! I’m excited to share some pictures with you below. When you have a chance, there is a plethora of fabulous ORC Rooms by Guest Participants and Featured Designers (click on the two boxes below to get there). Now that I am done with this dining room, I plan to spend some time there myself…
So, here goes. This dining room has proven to be a great challenge. The sun was spotty today in Portland so I did my best to capture the natural light in the room.
SKY MURAL
There is one accent wall where (with the help of my daughter and husband),I have painted a decorative sky painting.
My dear friend and floral designer Joann Andriese helped me to go for the large scale branches which I trimmed from my backyard. I reupholstered our existing dining chairs in Miles Redd Tumbling Blocks by Schumacher.
The chalkboard was created using a Portland flea market find (the carved frame), that I placed a chalkboard inside. I am not sure what it was before, but it seemed to have been built into a wall and was apparently salvaged and sold at an auction, per antique dealer, LOOKS & BOOKS, from Milwaukee, OR. The carving looked old world and reminded me of Italy. My daughter has been wanting a chalkboard for awhile. It has to cure for a couple more days when I initially posted this.
Here is a shot of the built-in which was painted a pale aqua paint to compliment the sky wall. It is full of various heirloom and contemporary dishes as well as crystal, vintage paintings and vases, an old clock and books.The chandelier is from FEISS. The plant from PORTLAND NURSERY.
Here is a more panoramic shot and you can see that I have panels flanking the bay window. They are custom made out of linen blend fabric called BUTE in Ivory from Cowtan and Tout, which is super wide and so gorgeous. The two pleats on the leading edge are striped cotton called ULLAKARIN from IKEA. The woven jute rug is also from IKEA.
This heirloom rocking chair I had reupholstered when I had twins out of a leopard velvet (like Jamil Natural). It was my great grandfather’s. The blanket is from salvaged PENDLETON.
I’ve been playing around with table placement so here you can see that I moved the table and chairs so they are horizontal to the bay window. It works both ways.
The abstract artwork is from TARGET. The heirloom loveseat was also my great grandparents that I had reupholstered in striped ticking.
Here’s a close up of the vintage dinner plates I found at an estate sale. The runner is also from IKEA.
The little lumbar pillow is FANTASY FOREST by SCHUMACHER , made by STUDIO TULLIA.
A detail of the curtains, also made by STUDIO TULLIA.
Here’s another shot of my kids’ favorite spot along with fabric Sonora by SCHUMACHER and a custom faux snow leopard throw which is also a favorite in the house.
The kids aren’t the only ones who like this spot.
If you look above the door there is another found painting that was framed locally by I’VE BEEN FRAMED, my go to local art store and framer. They frame most of my found art and prints as well as family art, photographs, etc.
Here is a detail shot of the rug and chairs.
And accessories.
And a shot of the table with candles lit earlier in the day when I had no sun.
I thought this brass napkin holder and napkins from IKEA were fun to add to the mix.
Here are a few before shots just so you can appreciate how far we have come from the original orange dining room.
Here the kids are priming the chalkboard for the first time with white chalk after it cured for three days.
The kids have been having fun writing menus and such on the chalkboard:
So, that is a wrap. The sources with links are listed at the end of this post.
I could not have pulled this off without my highly skilled husband, Shiloh. I am so grateful for all his electrical, construction and installation work.
Thanks so much for following along!
SOURCES
BENJAMIN MOORE – chalkboard paint
COWTAN & TOUT – Bute in Ivory for curtains
FEISS LIGHTING – Chandelier
IKEA – Lonholt jute rug
IKEA – black linen and Goddag woven table runners
IKEA – Tillstallning brass napkin holder & napkins
IKEA – Ullakarian Striped Fabric on lead edge of curtain panels
I’VE BEEN FRAMED – frames for vintage paintings
MILLER – gray paint by Joanna Gaines
METRO PAINT – Mountain Snow for custom paint mixing and base coats
PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS – salvaged Pendleton wool for throw
PORTLAND FLEA – antique carved frame
PORTLAND NURSERY – houseplant
SCHUMACHER -Miles Redd Tumbling Blocks on Chairs
SCHUMACHER – Sonora white fringe fabric on pillow
SCHUMACHER – Fantasy Forest on accent pillow
STUDIO TULLIA – throw pillows
WS HOME – black candlesticks
by studiotullia | Oct 31, 2018 | DIY, INTERIOR DESIGN
We are at Week 5 and getting down to the wire. It is going to be a busy weekend, let me tell ya.
We got this darn heating vent installed, thanks to my husband! You have no idea what a relief it is to have a new one. Our old one was so beat up.
FLOOR VENT
ANTIQUE CAFE CHALKBOARD
I saw this a month ago at the Portland Flea Market and have been thinking about whether or not it would work. I called up the owner at LOOKS & BOOKS in Milwaukee, OR and he still had it! He said he bought it at an auction in Pennsylvania. He came down on the price so I went for it. I’m really kind of excited about it.
I am going with a standard charcoal gray chalkboard paint form Benjamin Moore and using a large salvaged chalkboard that our neighbor a few doors up was coincidentally getting rid of. How these things happen is a curious wonder. We just have to trim it down a bit and paint it.
ART
I am also getting a few works of art framed from I’VE BEEN FRAMED in Portland. They are close to my house and I use them a lot for re- framing vintage art. You’d be amazed what a nice frame, or a fresh matte and glass can do. Not sure they’ll be done in time for the final reveal, but sure hope so. They service artists a lot in the neighborhood and are a very reasonably priced, old shop with lots of artists working there. Always glad to support small businesses.
As you can see I have this old artist’s proof – an abstract, silk screened print of horses running, in browns and blacks. It was in a really heavy silver frame which I re-used for the upstairs GUEST ROOM. I never really appreciated it all that much but now that I am trying to bring out browns and blacks in the space, I reconsidered it. It has the original matte here below which I don’t really care for.
I taped it up there without the matte to see if I liked it better. I think it will add some interest and height to the room.
My husband added that wifi UFO thing to the ceiling for better internet service…
So those are the kind of details we are dealing with.
CURTAINS/SHADES
We are installing the blinds and curtains this week, too. One of my extraordinary seamstresses is bringing them tomorrow and I cannot wait.
As you can see, I taped the shade and the fabric up there so I could see how it looks before I pulled the trigger. IKEA for the fabric on the leading edge of the curtains and the brown woven shades since they blend with the woodwork. Basic, I know, but they will have to do until I can upgrade.
To see what all the other frenzied designers are up to at this point, you may click on the two squares below:
We will see you next week for the final reveal. Let’s pray for some sunshine so I can get some decent shots.
Have a great weekend!
by studiotullia | Oct 24, 2018 | DIY, INTERIOR DESIGN
We are at WEEK 4. The mural is pretty much done. Here are a few of the stages we went through getting to a place we were relatively happy. I took these with my iphone so I apologize for the quality of the images.
SKY MURAL
There are a few things I might change to balance it out but I needed to wrap it up and move on. I like that it adds some color and life to the room which is especially important in the winter months in Oregon. Half of the year it’s gray and rainy, day after day.
I don’t want to show you the final finished wall. I have to save that for the final reveal!
As you can see it adds quite a visual punch to the room.
It turned out darker than I anticipated so the room is feeling visually heavier on the mural side. I have been trying to address that with some other design choices. I decided that bringing out the black ,white and warm wooden tones throughout the space would also help unify the room.
LIGHTING
This fixture I chose by FEISS was installed. I am ok with it for now.
UPHOLSTERY FABRIC
My choice for upholstered chairs: Tumbling Blocks by Miles Redd for Schumacher.
ART/ACCESSORIES
I came across this painting on sale at Goodwill (originally from Target) for $5!!! and I was thinking, am I crazy for thinking this could work?
I brought it home and after living with it a few days decided to go for it. It is the same era, style wise – mid century, like the light fixture – that brings a modern element I like to the room.
This Pendleton Wool Blanket I had recently made up from salvaged Pendleton turned out to work nicely as well with its black, white, yellow ochre and red accent colors.
I had this original print of my Mom’s from the 60’s that I am having reframed, lightened up with an ivory matte, and hopefully installed in time above the door. And to think this was headed to the donation bin.
RUG
I like the new grass woven rug, the LONHOLT, available at IKEA for the rug. There is no point in having a really nice rug in there as the last one was partially trashed with all the birthday parties, dinners with tweens, etc. that go on there. The price was right, too.
CURTAINS
This is where I am headed with the bay window – three shades and two curtain panels on the sides.
For now, these IKEA grass shades will work.
IKEA also had some very affordable fabric so I brought some home to see if it would work for the curtains.
PILLOWS
Is this adorable or what? I had to add a small pillow in this fabric I love to the mix. A little woodland theme with a pair of twin bunnies…I could not resist.
Fantasy Forest by Schumacher
I found this at the Portland Flea Market last month and I am pretty sure I am going to buy it. It is a cafe chalkboard frame. I called the dealer and he still has it. I think it will add something truly interesting to the room and he is giving me a deal…it just needs the chalkboard part. There’s that.
So, I am going in a new, completely unexpected direction. Quite an evolution from my original scheme. It feels more masculine, but I like it. I think the neutrals will allow for different table schemes with colorful place settings. I have a healthy collection of plates, linens, etc which I love to use throughout the year.
Here’s my remaining TO DO LIST:
-
Hang the mirror on the Mural wall.
-
Upholster the dining seat chairs
-
PDX FLEA MARKET: Purchase my café frame and make the chalkboard back for it and install (surprise coming)
-
IKEA: Purchase and install 3 32 inch wide Roman shades
-
IKEA: Purchase 6 x 8 woven rug
-
Paint drapery hardware or rather spray paint with black paint
-
Install drapery hardware
-
Finish and Install curtains, shades
-
make two pillows
-
Try to refinish surface of the table
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Buy plants to go in front of the window to cover the ugly duplex outside.
Wish me luck as we are getting down to the wire here with less than two weeks left to pull this together.
You may follow along with all the other designer and guest participants by clicking on the images below.
Thanks for reading, I really appreciate it. Tell me what you think. Am I crazy or will this work? See you next week!
by studiotullia | Oct 17, 2018 | DIY, INTERIOR DESIGN
Here we are at week 3 and I have made some design decisions. The lighting and upholstery fabric have been ordered. But most importantly, I have started the mural! It’s like getting into a swimming pool; its a little hard at first and then you get more comfortable.
Be sure to check out what’s happening with the other ORC guest participants (tap the image above).
And to see some of the the featured designers at week 3 (tap the image below): 
There are so many talented folks who do this – you should grab a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine) and spend some time checking things out.
So, onward we go. I settled on a chandelier:
LIGHTING
This was what we had before:
And this is what I selected:
$297.45
Originally $729.35
There are a few chandeliers out there that I love (that cost a lot more) but ultimately to find something my husband and I both agreed on, and with the price being so right on this one, we went for it. I like that the shades are hand blown glass rather than fabric shades that gather dust. And I like the more modern look and black silhouette. I can take my time and wait to find a really amazing chandelier down the road.
UPHOLSTERY for CHAIRS:
I was going to go with a leopard velvet kind of like the rocker pictured below.
I needed something somewhat neutral that works with the black and white in the room on the loveseat and the sideboard.
STRIPED BLACK & WHITE LOVESEAT
BLACK/BROWN PERIOD SIDEBOARD:
I ultimately chose:
RED MILES TUMBLING BLOCKS by SCHUMACHER
It will breathe some new life into the room, I am hoping.
So, the inevitable needed to happen. The mural needed to begin and I have never done a mural before.
MURAL INSPO
JOHN DERIAN’s SWALLOW WALLPAPER:
and this lovely wallpaper mural by:
So began the custom mixing:
And the beginning application of paint with the roller:
And the brush (see our lovely temporary light fixture below):
My 11 year old daughter was helping me quite a bit with the sky and clouds. She has always been an artist…
By the end of the second day, it was looking more like Van Gogh’s Starry Night than what I had in mind.
I made the mistake of thinking that I could bang this out in a couple of 3 hour sessions and after two days, that is what it looked like.
I told my daughter I wasn’t happy with it and that I wanted to paint it over. She asked if she could play with it for a bit if I was planning to scrap it anyway. So she did. I swallowed my ego and admitted that I liked what she did with the clouds. She softened them and blended them better so they weren’t so animated. Then I realized that, as usual, I needed to slow down and take my time if I wanted to create something worth keeping. She is always telling me to slow down.
So needless to say the mural is still in the works.
We are in full swing now and I look forward to sharing my progress with you next week. In the meantime, you can follow me on INSTAGRAM
Let me know what you think and thank you for following along!
by studiotullia | Oct 12, 2018 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DESIGN TRENDS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS THAT INSPIRE, SUZANNE'S DESIGN PROJECTS
Hello Folks,
I’ve been revisiting black and white as well as moody, darker florals and grays lately. Black and white pairs with just about any color year round but resonates with me in the cooler months as colors deepen.
BLACK, WHITE & GRAY
I am pretty happy with the new palette below but planning to add some softer, textured notes and grays to the mix in the coming months.
The Bunny Hutch fabric by Hunt Slonem for Lee Jofa has been really popular as has the FAUNA (the black spots) by Kate Spade for Kravet. The other coordinates below work with everything and the iconic CHIANG MAI DRAGON in SMOKE is so fresh in this new color way even though its from the 20’s.
Here is how the pillow collection is looking. You may shop the full BLACK & WHITE COLLECTION with all custom sizes at my website.
Ready-mades and bargains are ready to ship right away and available at my ETSY STORE
This is another palette I came up with that adds more color and vintage wovens and needlepoint to the mix.
This pillow is a vintage Guatemalan woven pillow with embroidery. I only have a couple left.
Pendleton Woolens in various black and whites are always a beautiful addition.
How fun are these fringe-laden pillows made from Pendleton Mill scraps!
RESEARCH
I’ve been looking at some of these fabrics below – what do you think?
SONORA adds a sophisticated boho vibe and some gorgeous texture.
This is more a natural linen color that also adds warmth and great texture to the mix.
VENTO
And here are some of the darker patterns I am loving right now:
CHAMBRAY in CHARCOAL on linen
AURORA DAMASK on linen
BINARY EMBROIDERY
OWLISH in BLACK by Kate Spade
EXOTIC BUTTERFLY in BLACK by Joseph Frank
ANTELOPES in JADE by Paul Poiret from the 1930’s
ANTELOPES in COBALT 
FANTASY FOREST has a vintage vibe that is fun:
DESIGN INSPIRATION
And, Nobody does black and white sketches quite like ALBERT HADLEY:
I love this black and white print:
FERNS LINOCUT PRINT by MAGPRINT on ETSY:
And is she beautiful or what?
From House of Fabulous
I want the butterfly dress:
GIFT ITEMS
I’ve also been adding some gifty items like this pouch using THE BUG CHICKS LOTUS Fabric for $14 for the holidays
and this SHANGHAI PEACOCK fabric in a glasses case below for $24
And this Clutch purse in Chiang Mai Dragon for $24
I hope you are warming up to FALL and getting ready for all the festivities coming just around the corner. We are about to start decorating for Halloween and planning to do a Day of the Dead shrine this year. Ill share it with you on INSTAGRAM
While Spring/Summer are my favorites, I love Fall but I start to get down about the rain and lessening of light for the next several months in Portland. Thanks as always for reading and let me know your thoughts about the collection.
Chronicles from a Well Lived House...
